Overview

Borneo Wildlife Discoverer

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Showcasing the best of Borneo - wildlife, rainforests and tropical beaches

Borneo is home to some of the most diverse and beautiful wildlife in the
whole of South East Asia. Starting with a visit to majestic Mt Kinabalu, we
then continue to one of the trip highlights - the pristine Danum Valley. A
nature lover's paradise, whose beauty and animals are equalled only by
Sarawak and the World Heritage Mulu National Park with its immense cave
system and and the oldest rainforest in the world. We come face to face with
Orang-utans at the Sepilok sanctuary, stay at a bamboo longhouse in Sabah on
a tea plantation, and finish the trip relaxing at the beach, and we also have
the chance to spot the elusive Irrawaddy dolphins.

Orang-utan spotting

Mulu N.P. with the impressive Deer Cave bat exodus

River cruising in Kinabatagan

Luxury jungle lodge in Danum Valley

Proboscis monkey spotting

Gallery

Highlights and Inclusions

14 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners

All accommodation

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Itinerary

Day
1

The capital of Sarawak, Kuching, is a vibrant riverside city full of
different ethnic groups who have migrated from the surrounding forests. With
a great museum and a well preserved colonial centre there is much to do in
this fascinating cultural hot spot.
Those arriving using their own arrangements can arrive at any time. There
will be a group briefing this evening at 6pm after which we can have dinner
at the hawkers stalls on the waterfront.

Day
2

The capital of Sarawak, Kuching, is a vibrant riverside city full of
different ethnic groups who have migrated from the surrounding forests. With
a great museum and a well preserved colonial centre there is much to do in
this fascinating cultural hot spot.
Those arriving using their own arrangements can arrive at any time. There
will be a group briefing this evening at 6pm after which we can have dinner
at the hawkers stalls on the waterfront.

Day
3

Our first foray into Borneo’s amazing nature as we head to nearby Bako
National Park famous for its Proboscis monkeys. This is where the rainforest
meets the sea and the only way to get to the park is by boat (after a 1hr
drive out of the city). It has abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls,
interesting plant life, secluded beaches and trekking trails. Despite being
the smallest National Park in Sarawak, Bako contains almost every type of
vegetation found in Borneo.
Please note that as Bako NP is only accessible by boat, our time there is
often dictated by tides and weather conditions. Our leader will inform us of
the details the previous day.
We return to Kuching for the night.

Day
4

We leave the city behind and fly to Mulu National park (schedules for this
flight often vary). After checking-in at the Park HQ, we will be introduced
to the park guides and head through the forest to Deer Cave. Some of the
caves have been mapped by occasional expeditions; they have their own
ecosystems with plants and animals living in the cave chambers. Deer Cave,
the largest cave passage in the world, is home to millions of bats and swifts
that live side by side on the roof of the cave. The cave floor has a raised
platform, though that is no escape from the smell of the 'guano' – the
excrement from millions of birds and bats. Close-by is Lang's Cave, which
though much smaller, has some excellent stalactites and stalagmites and other
cave formations. The forest around the caves is spectacular and there is
plenty of time to examine it closely.
The walk to Deer Cave is 3kms (each way) along boardwalks and there are
wooden steps leading to different viewing platforms inside the show caves.
We will arrive at Deer Cave in time for dusk which is when the bats leave the
comfort of the cave to feed on insects (as long as it is not raining). This
is a sight to behold with the bats leaving the cave in a long line snaking
across the sky for quite some time. Dependent on the timings of the day we
may visit the caves tomorrow instead.
Please note that due to flight schedules there isn’t much time for lunch
between the time we arrive at Mulu NP and the time we depart for the caves.
You should buy something at the airport to have later.

Day
5

Today is a day for exploring this stunning park with a local guide. In the
morning we visit three of the 'show caves' including Clearwater where a
picnic (not included) lunch can be had in the gorgeous riverside location.
The park has some incredible statistics; It has over 3,500 plant species,
8,000 different types of fungi and 170 species of orchid. Over 100 new plant
species were discovered between 1960 and 1973, and many are still being
added. There are 262 species of bird, almost 300 species of butterflies and
many reptiles and mammals.
Members of the Penan tribe live within the park. They are a small population
of nomadic forest dwellers who live as hunter-gatherers. There has been
fierce international opposition to the Malaysian government who tried to
settle them in permanent longhouses and indeed the Penan themselves have also
resisted. In 1994 they were granted an area of the forest where they could
continue their traditional lifestyle. Although you are unlikely to meet these
elusive people, you occasionally see their fishing shelters or areas in the
forest where they have recently visited.
This afternoon there are a number of options available including a visit to
one of the local Penan settlements to learn a little more about their unique
way of life. Alternatively simply relax in the park and listen to the weird
and wonderful creatures that call it home. Those with a head for heights can
try the optional canopy walkway. This 480-metre skywalk is the longest
tropical canopy walkway in the world and takes approx 2 hours to complete.
Along the way, visitors may be able to see macaque monkeys, hornbills, flying
lizards, squirrels and a variety of rainforest birds. In the evening there is
an optional night walk or we can try the local Mulu 'firewater', Tuak.

Day
6

We aim to catch the morning flight out of Mulu and on to Kota Kinabalu via
Miri though delays are not uncommon. Depending on what time we fly out of
Mulu there may be some time to walk along self-guided trails or at the
visitor’s centre.
Known as KK to the locals, the capital of Sabah is a now a modern
multi-cultural city. The evening is free to relax, explore the bustling
Filipino markets or enjoy a sundowner on the waterfront.

Day
7

Today you are free to enjoy some of the many activities Kota Kinabalu has to
offer. A popular option is to visit one of the tropical islands in the marine
park, a 15 min boat journey from the city and offering excellent snorkelling
and diving opportunities. Here you can never be bored whether you are
relaxing on the white sand, snorkelling or just swimming in the warm South
China Sea.
There is some good birdwatching opportunities in the wetlands not far from KK
as well as a cultural viallage in Mari Mari for an insight into the different
cultures of Sabah. Your tour leader can help organise any of these options.

Day
8

Transfer about 2hrs and explore World Heritage Site; Mount Kinabalu National
Park, home to the highest mountain in South East Asia, Mount Kinabalu at
4,101m. This impressive peak of huge granite walls can be viewed from the
Crocker mountain range which we pass over, with panoramic views of the
countryside and soaring hills. The lower mountain slopes are covered in thick
vegetation and it is well known for its diverse botanical and biological
species. En route, we stop at Nabalu market where villagers come to sell
their produce and handicraft. It’s possible to walk through the plantation
on your own if you want this afternoon. Tea, medicinal herbs, fruit and
vegetables are just some of the things produced locally. From the plantation,
the sunrise with a view of Mount Kinabalu is often spectacular. If we are
lucky it may be possible to view the spectacular rafflesia in flower nearby
or en route to the plantation.

Day
9

We visit the tea factory before we leave the plantation behind and continue
our journey to Eastern Sabah. Our destination is Sepilok, a well-known
destination for its Orang-utan Sanctuary. The journey time is about 5 hours
and we will make a stop at the Labuk Bay Proboscis monkey sanctuary. Here you
can get an up close look at this extraordinary animal which is only found in
Borneo. We continue on to our lodge in Sepilok. This evening, as dusk
approaches we will head to the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre. The centre
can have fantastic bird watching opportunities (though luck does play a role)
as hornbills and the Borneo bristlehead are often seen and there is an array
of displays which highlights the island’s diverse flora. Orang-utans can
also be spotted during the fruiting season and there is an impressive canopy
walkway as well as some easy walking trails.

Day
10

Up early we return to the Rainforest Discovery Centre for some more bird and
wildlife viewing before returning to our lodge for breakfast. We then visit
Sepilok Orang-utan Centre, the largest orang-utan sanctuary in the world.
Here rehabilitated orphans and captured orang-utans are cared for until they
are ready to be released into the wild. We get the opportunity to see these
incredible relations of ours close-up and learn about the very real threats
to their continued existence. You will have the chance to visit both morning
and afternoon feedings There is also a new orang-utan nursery where
youngsters are trained in climbing skills with the aim of reintroduction to
the wild. We will have the chance to view the youngsters from a special
viewing platform that sits behind one-way glass so as not to disturb or
influence them.
There is the option of visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
which works with rescuing and rehabilitating captured bears as well as
research and providing education to the community.

Day
11

We drive to Lahad Datu approx. 3-4 hours where we change vehicles and drive
off road into Danum valley conservation area (approx. 2 hours), the largest
protected lowland dipterocarp forest in Borneo. It is one of the last
remaining pockets of primary lowland rainforest in Asia. Danum Valley is at
the forefront of tropical rainforest research, and home to many rare and
endangered species of mammals and birds – it is a real privilege to spend 2
nights here in the comforts of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Danum Valley is
probably the very best place in Malaysia to see wild orang-utans in their
pristine habitat. Apart from orang-utans, it has just about the complete
range of Bornean wildlife and great trails. After settling in, there is an
afternoon nature trek to try and spot the elusive orang-utan, and after
dinner a night drive is possible to spot many of the shy and retiring
creatures of the forest. We will spend our time here with very experienced
guides who accompany us on all our walks. One night drive and one night walk
is included during our stay.

Day
12

We will spend a full day with our very experienced guides. We will have an
opportunity to explore the trails, the canopy walkway and waterfalls whilst
searching for wildlife in this remarkable place. The trek to a look out point
over the Danum Valley takes approximately 1.5hrs each way. Danum is home to
over 275 bird species, 110 species of mammals including orang-utans, five
species of deer, giant flying squirrels, gibbons, bearded wild boars, flying
frogs and the Asian elephant. One of Danum's least known animals is the
elusive Sumatran rhinoceros, unfortunately facing imminent extinction.

Day
13

After a final early morning nature hike we leave Danum and head to the
Kinabatangan River. The journey takes about 4 to 5hrs. Our river lodge is
located on the mighty Kinabatangan River, the 3rd longest river in Borneo.
The area is home to an astonishing array of wildlife including ten species of
primates, four of which are endemic to Borneo. It has one of the highest
concentrations of proboscis monkeys and orang-utans in Malaysian Borneo.
Other wildlife includes Bornean gibbon, Asian pygmy elephants, long tailed
macaques, sun bears, clouded leopards and barking deer. There are also over
200 species of birds including hornbills, eagles, herons, kingfishers,
oriental darters, night jars, flowerpeckers and spider hunters. In the early
evening we take our first river cruise.

Day
14

We are up with the animals for a dawn wildlife cruise followed by a trek out
to a lookout point. In the afternoon, we will once again take a river cruise
to spot wildlife and if we are lucky a crocodile or two.

Day
15

Today we will journey to Sandakan approx 3-4 hours En-route we stop at the
bizarre Gomantong caves. The caves are a major source of the swiftlet bird
nests that are a Chinese delicacy. Every day, when in season, workers climb
large ladders up to 400 feet up to the roof of the caves to collect the
valuable nests. It is also a good place for bird watching and spotting wild
Orang-utans. Later we continue onto Sandakan. The town was once a huge
logging centre (it first exported wood in the late 1880s to supply the
building of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing) and is home to many Chinese and
Filipinos. The waterfront is a good place to take an evening walk and the
roof top restaurant at the Nak hotel is a great place to sip a cocktail or
two.

Day
16

There may be some free time to enjoy the hotel’s pool or explore Sandakan
some more before those on the group flights are transferred to the airport
for their flight home. The land portion of the trip ends after breakfast.